More trouble for SU

SYRACUSE — Football coach Doug Marrone must dig deep into his shallow pockets and find more than a rabbit to trick Pittsburgh into losing today's game.

The Panthers are undefeated in the Big East; Syracuse is winless.

The Panthers are ranked 14th nationally; Syracuse hasn't been ranked since 2001.

The Panthers have a full arsenal; Syracuse's star receiver quit and its No. 2 running back and two of its linemen are suspended.

Abracadabra.

"We'll just keep fighting and scratching," Marrone said. "Faith is believing in something that you can't just touch. I believe in my heart, I know, I feel very comfortable saying that we're heading in the right direction."

At noon in front of 50,000-plus people, Syracuse will hear boos at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, just as it heard them during its 28-7 loss to Cincinnati at home last week.

"I'm used to playing in environments that are hostile," said quarterback Greg Paulus, who hasn't played on the road for SU since mid-September. "It's not an issue."

His increasing number of interceptions is, however. Paulus has thrown 11 picks. That's tied for seventh-worst nationally.

"I'm continuing to get ready," Paulus said. "This team is getting ready for Pittsburgh. We're focused on Pittsburgh."

Against Pittsburgh, Syracuse will be without wide receiver Mike Williams, who quit the team on Monday. Williams was in a car accident with other football teammates and was facing a suspension. Before that came out, he quit the team.

"We're really upset Mike decided to leave the team," backup quarterback Ryan Nassib said. "A lot us are, especially those of us that were friends with him."

Williams was among the best receivers in the country and Syracuse's top offensive weapon. Paulus and Nassib combined to complete 49 passes to him and six touchdowns. Donte Davis has the second most receptions on the team with 18.

That doesn't discourage Paulus or Nassib.

"The opportunity is there for guys to make plays," Paulus said. "That's what we need them to do. I know that guys are really anxious to have that opportunity."

For Pittsburgh, coming off a bye week and having Dion Lewis, the top rusher in the Big East, doesn't necessarily mean an easy win.

"We've got to go out there and approach it the same way that we have every other week," coach Dave Wannstedt said. "If you look at the Pitt-Syracuse scores over the last 30-plus years, the deciding point difference in a lot of those games was about seven points."

Most of those games were without Syracuse in such chaos. The Panthers haven't lost to Syracuse since 2004.

"They are the most physical bunch of guys we'll play," Marrone said. "The running backs can flat-out run and they have great vision. The quarterback has good play action and good receivers. Defensive line-wise, they take your offensive line and push them back. They do a nice job."